The Best Mops for Cleaning Engineered Wood Floors

Instead of a solid wood core, engineered hardwood flooring boards have a laminated core, much like plywood. On the surface, though, engineered floors have the same characteristics as solid wood floors, and you clean them the same way. The best mop is made of microfiber; it lifts dirt without retaining excessive water.

Mops to Avoid

Water is the enemy of both solid and engineered hardwood floors alike. If allowed to stand on the surface, it can create spots and seep between boards, causing the boards to swell and the edges to curl. Consequently, cotton string mops should be avoided, because they tend to spread large amounts of water, even when you wring them out thoroughly. Sponge mops also need to be fairly wet to do an effective job, and when you press down on it, it actively pushes water through floorboard gaps.

The Microfiber Advantage

Microfibers are synthetic filaments that have the cleaning power of natural fibers without the water retention. A flat microfiber mop is one of the most useful tools for cleaning solid or engineered hardwood because it has just enough abrasive action to loosen dirt without damaging the floor finish. You can also choose a microfiber string mop, which cleans large areas quickly with just a small amount of water.